Rewind a few short months to the start of the 2017 Hawaiian season. Ohhara was poised to make the cut for the WCT with a good result at Haleiwa or Sunset. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t materialise, but his surfing throughout the year proved his worth, and 2018 might just be the year it all happens.

Born, raised and still residing in Chiba, Japan, the site of the 2020 Olympic games, Hiroto is currently the highest placed Japanese surfer on the WQS, and looks certain to make the WCT in the very near future. A victory at the prestigious Vans US Open of Surfing in 2015 is testimony to his world beating talents.

Despite his upbringing in what’s typically regarded as small beach breaks, Hiroto is incredibly well-rounded in all conditions, and his style and rail work in big waves belies his years.

“Hiroto is the full package. His surfing is worthy of WCT standards, I love his style, and in my opinion, he’s the best surfer we’ve seen come out of Japan. We can expect big things from this guy, and I’m psyched to have him representing FCS”. Richie Lovett

Having placed 3rd in last year’s Oz Open, Hiroto will again be looking to kick start his 2018 qualification campaign in the upcoming Aussie WSL WQS events.